Parents Call Out Retailer for Selling Padded Bras for Girls as Young as 7

Parents have accused retail chain Primark of sexualization for selling padded bras to children as young as 7. (Photo: Twitter/MissTylerB)

Remember your first bra? Chances are it was of the training variety — sort of a cross between a top and a true brassierre. Sexy it was not.

So it’s no wonder that concerned parents have blasted British retail chain Primark for selling padded bras aimed at little girls. The rather grown-up “My First Bra” line is aimed at girls aged 7 to 13. The polka dot bras, available at stores across the U.K., cost around $7 for a pack of two.

Many parents have taken to social media to criticize the brand, accusing it of sexualizing young girls.

“Horrified that @Primark are selling padded bras to children aged between 7 13! #Toomuchtoyoung #Children #sexualisation,” one woman wrote.

“@Primark why are you selling padded bras to children? why would my 8 year old need a padded bra? this has got to stop! Please #LetKidsBeKids,” another woman added.

British actress Emma Linley has also raised concerns about the bras after spotting them while out shopping with her daughters.

Taking to Facebook, the star reportedly posted a long status detailing how wrong she thought the bra sales were and has threatened to start a campaign to get them taken off the shelves.

“Do Primark sell padded pants for seven to 13-year boys to make their genitals seem bigger?” she told The Sun. “So boys are OK as they are but girls need enhancement? I have two young girls. I do not want them facing puberty with this c**p to deal with.”

Primark has responded to the backlash. (Photo: PA Images)

Following the backlash, Primark has responded to say that the bras do fall within relevant clothing guidelines and aren’t in fact padded, but molded.

“We would like to be absolutely clear that these bras are molded, not padded,” a Primark representative told The Sun.

“My First Bra ranges are designed and constructed purely for support, comfort, and modesty and adhere to the BRC’s (British Retail Consortium) childrenswear guidelines,” the statement continued. “There is no enhancement. This type of molded bra is extremely common, and selling them is entirely normal practice on the high street.”